Backboard



Nov. 26, 1929.

E. .1. GRQss BACKBOARD Filed June 29', 1928 Patented Nov. 26, 1929 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELIVIER J'. GROSS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CHICAGO GYMNASIUM EQUIP-l MENT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATON OF ILLINOIS BACKBOARD Application filed June 29,

This invention relates to basket-ball backboards and utilizeslin a new combination the laminated structure described in my co-pending application for patent, Serial Number 249,342, filed January 25, 1928.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a backboard formed of a combination of wood and glass or other vitreous material in which is assure-d a safe and flush mounting of the vitreous portion of the board,

retaining it in place even though accidentally cracked; and to provide a combination board of this class in which the wood portion thereof cannot warp, and which is of sufficient weight and rigidity to resist vibration when in use.

The objects of the invention are accomplished by a construction as shown in the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved board with a basket supported thereon.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the board.

Fig. 3 is a face view of the board with a portion 0f its vitreous face partly broken away.

Backboards of glass and other vitreous material have been used to some extent and, due to nonwarping qualities and ease of keeping clean, are well liked. The chief objections to glass boards are their fragility and likelihood of falling when broken, and that the channel iron supporting frames thereof pro- ;ject beyond the surface of the glass. Also glass boards cannot be successfully mounted on and backed by an ordinary wood board because the latter is likely to warp and pull away from the glass.

The improved construction shown in the drawings consists of a backboard provided with a facing over the greater part of its area of vitreous material, in order to insure a hard smooth surface and one which may easily be kept clean. This surface material is backed by a light laminated wood structure which is entirely sheathed in metal. The vitreous facing of the board also rests upon a similar laminated wood facing at the lower part of 5.0.; the board and to which the basket is secured.

1928. Serial No. 289,293.

The laminated wood portions of the board are weatherproofed by the metal sheathing and therefore are not subject to warping or cracking. The vitreous facing adds some weight to the board, tending to lessen vibration thereof, particularly when the board is suspended, rather than being flat against the wall or supported from the floor. At the same time, the board is not s0 objectionably heavy or fragile asall-glass backboards.

Referring to the drawings, the laminated wood backing 1 is composed of layers of wood firmly glued together and to their metal sheathing 2. The latter serves to prevent access of moisture to the laminated part of the board. This laminated structure is an article of commerce which can be relied on to maintain its original form irrespective of climatic conditions. Secured thereto at the lower front portion of the board is a smaller laminated and sheathed board 3 for receiving a basket 10. The boards 1 and 3 are secured together by the screws l and it is also desir able to cement theirl contacting surfaces together. The vitreous facing 5 of the board is preferably both cemented and anchored to the backing 1. A layer of canvas 6 is interposed between the backing 1 and facing 5 and is firmly cemented to both the backing and facing. If the facing 5 becomes cracked, the canvas 6, to which it is cemented, serves to retain the portions thereof in place until the entire backboard may be' removed. The anchoring means 7, which pass through the backing 1, project part way into the facing of vitreous material, holes being drilled from the back thereof to receive the heads 8 of the anchors 7. `The screws 9, which extend rear-v wardly from the corners -of the backing 1, are for receiving the flanges of the supporting brackets or suspending means for the backboard. f

`The above described construction provides a backboard of medium weight which is easily kept clean, gives a flush surface, that is, there are no iron frame members or other projections required along the edge of the vitreous portion of the board as is customary with an all-glass board. The improved con- 1 struction also ,substantiallyv avoids danger of the board dropping or a part thereof dropping oilp if cracked, while retaining many of the desirable qualities of an all-glass, marble or other vitreous backboard.

Although but one specic embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it willi be. understood that numerous details of the construction shown be,

facing attached to said hoard comprising a` lower portion consisting of laminated wood sheatlfied inl metal and an upper portion of vitreous materiali resting upon said lowerlpor-V tion, and a liabrohetween and? glued to said board and upper vitreous portion of` thel fac'- infr.

. A basketball backboard comprising a laminated wood board sheathed inmetal' and a acingof vitreous material on said sheath-Y evred board and a fabric between and glued' to said sheathered board and vitreous fac 4f ln a-4 basket ball backboard, a bacl'rstruc-Y ture comprising Vwood-boardsheathed: in met'-l al,` a base-section mounted on the faceof saidi back/structure-at the bottom portion thereofV forsupportging a basket-ball basket, and an upper section comprising-` vitreous material. supported on the upper edgeiofsaid basesec tvion4 and af'lixed tothe` front surface ofsa-id back structure. Y

5; Ina basketball backboard, aback structure comprising -wood-boardsheathed inmetal, a; base section mounted' o n the face of said back structure at the bottom portion thereoffor-supporting a basket-ball basket, layer ot'fabrio glued to the front surface of said back structureabove said base section,wand=a-n upper section comprising vitreousmaterial supported by the upper edge of saidbasesectionandglued to the outerside of said fabric layer, saidrfabric layer being providedi for preventing falling of'fragments oflsaidlvitreous material in the event the latter is broken.

62 Ais a manufactured articleof basket-ball game furniture, a non-shatterable hard faced composite 'unitary backboard of resilient character' comprising a thin metal-sheathed flat laminatedwoodbacking and al single .thin vitreous-panelfolintegral character adherently securedj'hereto,with a layerof fabric in ter-posed, said backing being extended downward somewhat and providedwith a complementary Jfacing part, flush with said vitreous panel, whereon a receiving basket may be attached.

Signed at Chicago this 25th day of June, 19,28.

f Y JL, GROSS 

